A multi-field bio-economic model of irrigated grain-cotton farming systems

We present a participatory modelling framework that integrates information from interviews and discussions with farmers and consultants, with dynamic bio-economic models to answer complex questions on the allocation of limited resources at the farm business level. Interviews and discussions with farmers were used to: describe the farm business; identify relevant research questions; identify potential solutions; and discuss and learn from the whole-farm simulations. The simulations are done using a whole-farm, multi-field configuration of APSIM (APSFarm). APSFarm results were validated against farmers’ experience. Once the model was accepted by the participating farmers as a fair representation of their farm business, the model was used to explore changes in the tactical or strategic management of the farm and results were then discussed to identify feasible options for improvement.Here we describe the modelling framework and present an example of the application of integrative whole farm system tools to answer relevant questions from an irrigated farm business case study near Dalby (151.27E - 27.17S), Queensland, Australia. Results indicated that even though cotton crops generates more farm income per hectare a more diversified rotation with less cotton would be relatively more profitable, with no increase in risk, as a more cotton dominated traditional rotation. Results are discussed in terms of the benefits and constraints from developing and applying more integrative approaches to represent farm businesses and their management in participatory research projects with the aim of designing more profitable and sustainable irrigated farming systems.     

The intrinsic plasticity of farm businesses and their resilience to change. An Australian example

This paper examines the idea that plasticity in farm management introduces resilience to change and allows farm businesses to perform when operating in highly variable environments. We also argue for the need to develop and apply more integrative assessments of farm performance that combine the use of modelling tools with deliberative processes involving farmers and researchers in a co-learning process, to more effectively identify and implement more productive and resilient farm businesses.In a plastic farming system, farm management is highly contingent on environmental conditions. In plastic farming systems farm managers constantly vary crops and inputs based on the availability of limited and variable resources (e.g. land, water, finances, labour, machinery, etc.), and signals from its operating environment (e.g. climate, markets), with the objective of maximising a number of, often competing, objectives (e.g. maximise profits, minimise risks, etc.). In contrast in more rigid farming systems farm management is more calendar driven and relatively fixed sequences of crops are regularly followed over time and across the farm. Here we describe the application of a whole farm simulation model to (i) compare, in silico, the sensitivity of two farming systems designs of contrasting levels of plasticity, operating in two contrasting environments, when exposed to a stressor in the form of climate change scenarios;(ii) investigate the presence of interactions and feedbacks at the field and farm levels capable of modifying the intensity and direction of the responses to climate signals; and (iii) discuss the need for the development and application of more integrative assessments in the analysis of impacts and adaptation options to climate change.In both environments, the more plastic farm management strategy had higher median profits and was less risky for the baseline and less intensive climate change scenarios (2030). However, for the more severe climate change scenarios (2070), the benefit of plastic strategies tended to disappear. These results suggest that, to a point, farming systems having higher levels of plasticity would enable farmers to more effectively respond to climate shifts, thus ensuring the economic viability of the farm business. Though, as the intensity of the stress increases (e.g. 2070 climate change scenario) more significant changes in the farming system might be required to adapt. We also found that in the case studies analysed here, most of the impacts from the climate change scenarios on farm profit and economic risk originated from important reductions in cropping intensity and changes in crop mix rather than from changes in the yields of individual crops. Changes in cropping intensity and crop mix were explained by the combination of reductions in the number of sowing opportunities around critical times in the cropping calendar, and to operational constraints at the whole farm level i.e. limited work capacity in an environment having fewer and more concentrated sowing opportunities. This indicates that indirect impacts from shifts in climate on farm operations can be more important than direct impacts from climate on the yield of individual crops. The results suggest that due to the complexity of farm businesses, impact assessments and opportunities for adaptation to climate change might also need to be pursued at higher integration levels than the crop or the field. We conclude that plasticity can be a desirable characteristic in farming systems operating in highly variable environments, and that integrated whole farm systems analyses of impacts and adaptation to climate change are required to identify important interactions between farm management decision rules, availability of resources, and farmer's preference.     

Variable rate dosing in precision viticulture: Use of electronic devices to improve application efficiency

Two different spray application methods were compared in three vine varieties at different crop stages. A conventional spray application with a constant volume rate per unit ground area (l ha⁻¹) was compared with a variable rate application method designed to compensate electronically for measured variations in canopy dimensions. An air-blast sprayer with individual multi-nozzle spouts was fitted with three ultrasonic sensors and three electro valves on one side, in order to modify the emitted flow rate of the nozzles according to the variability of canopy dimensions in real time. The purpose of this prototype was to precisely apply the required amount of spray liquid and avoid over dosing. On average, a 58% saving in application volume was achieved with the variable rate method, obtaining similar or even better leaf deposits.     

全麦粉谷蛋白溶涨指数测定方法研究

为了探讨利用全麦粉代替面粉测定谷蛋白溶涨指数的可行性，本文测定了21个小麦品种(系)的Zeleny,SDS沉淀值及不同溶涨时间下全麦粉和面粉的谷蛋白溶涨指数。简单相关分析结果表明，用全麦粉测得的谷蛋白溶涨指数与Zeleny、SDS沉淀值呈极显著正相关；在溶涨时间相同时，用全麦粉和用面粉测得的谷蛋白溶涨指数呈极显著正相关(0．843^**,0．912^**,0．934^**)。研究结果证明用全麦粉可以代替面粉测定谷蛋白溶涨指数。该方法可以降低样品用量，加快检测速度。     

氮肥和磷肥用量对油菜开花性状的影响

通过田间试验研究了不同施氮量(0、75、150、225kg/hm^2)与施磷量(0、30、60、90、120kg/hm^2)对油菜花期、阶段性开花数、单花大小、单花开花持续时间的影响,为合理施肥推动油菜花经济提供依据。结果表明,增施氮肥能使油菜始花期提前和延长终花期,各施氮比不施氮处理延长花期23.2%～31.8%,且随着氮肥用量的提高有花期延长的趋势。施氮增加单株油菜整个生育期开花数131.6%～276.4%;增加花瓣长9.53%～15.96%,提高单花重1.07%～5.87%;延长单花开花持续时间1.96%～4.79%;除油菜整个生育期开花数在施氮225kg/hm^2时达到最大值外,以上开花性状均在施氮150kg/hm^2效果最好。增施磷肥能使油菜初花期提前并延长油菜终花期,随着磷肥用量的提高,各施磷比不施磷处理延长花期27.8%～50.4%;施磷增加单株油菜整个生育期开花数377.4%～736.7%;增加花瓣长8.01%～17.05%,提高单花重11.15%～31.82%;延长单花开花持续时间0.23%～2.15%;除施磷120kg/hm^2处理花期最长,整个生育期开花数最多外,以上开花性状均以施磷90kg/hm^2处理效果最好。在本试验条件下,施氮150kg/hm^2对延长油菜花期,提高单花性状效果最佳;施磷90kg/hm^2对增加油菜开花数,提高单花性状效果最佳。     

两种类型土壤大豆施钾效应

为明确不同类型土壤上大豆施用钾肥的效果，采用田间试验的方法，研究了黑土、白浆土上施钾量对大豆生长发育及产量、品质的影响。结果表明，合理的钾肥用量有利于大豆叶绿素含量的提高，从而增强光合作用，为产量的提高奠定了基础。两种土壤上施钾量(x)与产量(y)呈二次回归关系，黑土： =2516.1+6.6307X-0.0242X2 (Ｒ2 =0.8475 )；白浆土： =2453.1+4.2819X-0.0140X2 (Ｒ2=0.9836 )。根据施钾量与产量的关系，结合肥料的经济效益，黑土上种植大豆的最高施钾量应控制在140kg/hm2以下，白浆土上最高施钾量不宜超过150kg/hm2。钾肥具有降低大豆蛋白质含量，提高脂肪含量的趋势。钾能提高大豆的蛋脂总量，本试验黑土处理3、白浆土处理4蛋白质总量比对照分别提高25.4%和11.1%，脂肪总量分别提高15.3%和14.7%。     

A description and evaluation of the physical and financial characteristics of dairy farms operating on soil types classified as poorly drained and associated with high rainfall

The physical and financial performance data used for analysis were obtained over a 6‐year period (2010–2015), from two different databases including a nationally representative data set of dairy farmers and a detailed data set of seven individual farms. Initial analysis indicated significant variations across soil type and region, across a wide range of physical and financial parameters. Further detailed analysis was completed using a group of seven farms participating in a Heavy Soils Programme (HSP), which were compared to different cohorts of the nationally representative database (National Farm Survey [NFS]), ranked on net profit per ha. The HSP farms utilized larger quantities of grass DM per ha per year than the median of the NFS farms, at similar grazing season lengths, but were using lower levels of purchased feed. Economic analysis indicated the HSP farmers achieved significantly lower net profits per hectare to the NFS median group but significantly higher net profits per kg of fat and protein. The HSP farms also achieved significantly greater overall net farm income per year (€83,788), when compared to the median nationally (€67,898), over the 6‐year period (excluding owned land and labour). The mean return on assets ascertained by the HSP farmers was also significantly greater, at 5.75% per year compared to 3.49% achieved by the median of NFS farms. In conclusion, this study has indicated that efficient dairy businesses operating on poorly drained soils can be as profitable as those across all ranges of soil types.     

磷肥用量对油菜产量、养分吸收及经济效益的影响

利用大田试验研究了磷肥用量对油菜生长、产量、养分含量、养分积累及经济收益的影响.结果表明,在4个施磷水平下,蕲春和黄冈两个试验点磷肥(P2O5)用量分别为135kg/hm2和90kg/hm2时效果最好,分别提高产量148.5%和81.5%,增加纯利润2 532元/hm2和1 038元/hm2.施磷能大幅度的增加油菜分枝数、每株角果数、每角籽粒数及在一定程度上提高籽粒千粒重.施磷能不同程度地提高油菜各部位N、P、K养分含量,显著地提高油菜地上部对N、P和K的积累量.根据肥料效应方程和油菜籽及磷肥价格确定,蕲春和黄冈试验点最高产量水平时的磷肥用量分别为145.3kg/hm2和119.2kg/hm2,而最佳施磷量则分别为141.4kg/hm2和113.5kg/hm2.     

甘蔗单花粉全基因组扩增(WGA)与SCoT分子标记研究

从一个完整的甘蔗花粉囊中分离出单个花粉粒,利用特制取样器进行收集,采用碱裂解法释放单花粉DNA,裂解液可以直接作为WGA模板进行全基因组扩增,制备出单个花粉粒大量DNA.通过5S rRNA-ITS鉴定WGA产物真实性,并以目标起始密码子多态性标记对真实的WGA产物进行分析,显示出丰富的多态性.利用NTSYSpc软件分析...     

氮肥用量对油菜产量及氮素利用效率的影响

通过大田试验研究了氮肥用量对油菜产量、养分含量、养分累积量及氮肥利用效率的影响。结果表明,与不施氮相比,施氮肥75、150和225kg/hm2平均分别增产41.9%、70.3%和66.2%,籽粒含氮量分别提高9.1%、14.2%和13.1%,植株地上部氮素总累积量分别增加59.6%、111.6%和108.0%。施氮促进油菜生长发育,显著提高油菜对氮素的吸收、累积和籽粒需氮量,但氮肥农学利用率、偏生产力和表观利用率均随氮肥用量的增加显著下降。氮肥用量在150kg/hm2时,能较好地协调油菜较高产量水平与合理氮肥利用率的统一。     

Net photosynthetic rate of cocksfoot leaves under continuous and fluctuating shade conditions in the field

Maximum light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (Pmax) and stomatal conductance (gs) of field‐grown cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) leaves in a silvopastoral system were measured at different times under moderate (850–950 µmol m^?2 s^?1 photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD) and severe shade (85–95 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD). Also Pmax and gs were measured after 30, 60 and 180 min of severe shade to determine the lag in the rise of photosynthesis rate from low to high irradiance levels (induction state). The highest Pmax and gs values obtained were 26·5 µmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and 0·41 mol H₂O m^?2 s^?1 in non‐limiting conditions with full sunlight (1900 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD). These values were defined as standardized dimensionless Pmax_s=1 and gs_s=1 for comparison of treatment effects. The Pmax_s under severe shade decreased by 0·004 units per minute from 1 to 180 min and reached a steady‐state of 0·37 units after 140 min. Under moderate shade, Pmax_s decreased by 0·002 units per minute from 1 to 120 min and reached a steady‐state of 0·76 units. The time required to reach full induction on return to full sun (Pmax_s=1) was 15 min after 30 min of severe shade and 37 min after 180 min of shade. Mathematical equations were derived to describe the changes in Pmax_s and gs_s under severe and moderate shade and during induction. The rate of change of gs_s was slower than for Pmax_s on entering shade and also slower during the subsequent induction process. This indicated other factors in addition to gs were operating in the reduction and increment of Pmax and a two‐step model to explain this is proposed. The defined photosynthetic responses of cocksfoot leaves to fluctuating light regimes could be used to develop quantitative predictions of Pmax for inclusion in a canopy photosynthesis model of silvopastoral systems.     

钾肥用量对油菜产量及钾素利用效率的影响

通过11个大田试验研究了钾肥用量对油菜产量、养分含量、养分累积量及钾肥利用效率的影响。结果表明,施钾（K2O）60、120和180kg/hm2与不施钾相比平均籽粒产量分别增加16.8%、21.6%和19.8%,籽粒含钾量增加2.9%、9.1%和7.8%,植株地上部钾素总累积量提高42.9%、63.0%和82.2%。说明施钾能提高油菜籽产量、提高油菜对钾素吸收和累积。油菜钾肥农学利用率、偏生产力、表观利用率和生理利用率均随钾肥用量的增加而显著下降,100kg籽粒需钾量随钾肥用量的增加而增加。综合结果表明,湖北省油菜钾肥高产高效生产的适宜推荐范围为60~120kg K2O/hm2。     

磷肥用量对油菜产量及磷素利用效率的影响

通过大田试验研究磷肥用量对油菜产量、养分含量、养分累积量及磷肥利用效率的影响。结果表明,与不施磷相比,施磷肥（P2O5）37.5、75.0和112.5kg/hm2平均分别增产24.2%、42.9%和43.2%,籽粒含磷量增加10.5%、16.7%和27.1%,植株地上部磷素总累积量提高36.1%、59.1%和78.7%。施磷促进油菜生长,提高油菜对磷素的吸收和累积,显著增加百千克籽粒需磷量。但磷肥农学利用率、偏生产力、表观利用率和生理利用率均随磷肥用量的增加显著下降。磷肥用量为75.0kg/hm2时可达到油菜的高产高效生产。     

Scouting the application of sourdough to frozen dough bread technology

The use of sourdough, even in combination with cryoprotectant (skim milk, sucrose and trehalose), conventional additives (guar gum, diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides, ascorbic acid), honey or fructose and glucose, in frozen dough technology was investigated. After frozen storage, the leavening performance of doughs, and the hardness and texture of breads were compared to those of an unfrozen dough, and to those of a conventional frozen dough. All frozen doughs showed a longer fermentation time and a lower volume increase, with respect to unfrozen dough. When sourdough was combined with cryoprotectant, honey or both, the leavening performance improved compared to the use of sourdough alone. Compared to the conventional frozen dough, higher leavening performance was reached combining sourdough with cryoprotectant alone or together with honey. Sourdough combined with honey, fructose and glucose, honey and cryoprotectant, or conventional additives decreased bread hardness compared to the unfrozen dough bread and to the conventional frozen dough bread. Independently from the use of sourdough, conventional additives allowed to reach a specific volume not significantly different from that of unfrozen dough bread, and breads containing honey were characterized by low values of hardness and by high values of red index.     

提高茶叶生产企业获贷能力的对策研究

从茶叶生产企业自身看,大部分茶叶生产企业为劳动密集型企业,其单位投入吸纳的就业人员较多,企业数量大,能为社会提供相当多的就业机会.即使在传统的茶叶生产企业向管理密集型和知识密集型转变后,数量众多的茶叶生产企业仍然是创造就业机会的主要渠道.从我国地方经济发展状况看,茶叶生产企业是区域经济增长的重要推动力.在一个产茶区有一大批从事茶业的优势企业往往会形成地区块状经济,如中国茶都、名茶之乡等.哪些地方茶叶生产企业发展好、发展快,哪些地方的经济增长就快.同时,茶叶生产企业自然成为地方财政收入的重要来源,并为政府减少了大量社会保障支出.从现代企业制度与经营管理看,我国的茶叶生产企业主要包括计划经济时代所发展的集体所有制茶叶生产企业,以及改革开放后发展起来的乡镇茶叶生产企业和民营茶叶生产企业.民营茶叶生产企业没有历史包袱,在新形势下可自主地按照市场经济的要求确立新型的组织结构和经营模式.原有的集体和乡镇茶叶生产企业在进入市场后失去了原来的行政支持,必须凭借自身的力量在市场中谋生存,主动地谋求制度创新,以适应市场的需求.茶叶生产企业没有规模和垄断优势,它们最好的获利途径就是推出创新的产品或品牌.     

The implications of controlling grazed sward height for the operation and productivity of upland sheep systems in the UK: 6. The effect of reducing stocking rate and application of fertilizer nitrogen in Wales

Abstract The implications for the agricultural productivity of the UK upland sheep systems of reducing nitrogen fertilizer application and lowering stocking rates on perennial ryegrass/white clover swards were studied over 4 years at a site in Wales. The system involved grazing ewes and lambs from birth to weaning on swards maintained at a constant height with surplus herbage made into silage, thereafter ewes and weaned lambs grazed on separate areas until the onset of winter with adjustments to the size of the areas grazed and utilizing surplus pasture areas for silage. Four stocking rates [SR 18, 15, 12 and 9 ewes ha^?1 on the total area (grazed and ensiled)] and two levels of annual nitrogen fertilizer application (N 200 and 50 kg ha^?1) were studied in five treatments (N200/SR18, N200/SR15, N50/SR15, N50/SR12 and N50/SR9). Average white clover content was negatively correlated with the level of annual nitrogen fertilizer application. White clover content of the swards was maintained over the duration of the experiment with an increasing proportion of clover in the swards receiving 50 kg N ha^?1. Control of sward height and the contribution from white clover resulted in similar levels of lamb liveweight gain from birth to weaning in all treatments but fewer lambs reached the slaughter live weight by September at the higher stocking rates and with the lower level of fertilizer application. Three of the five treatments provided adequate winter fodder as silage (N200/SR15, N50/SR12 and N50/SR9). Because of the failure to make adequate winter fodder and the failure of white clover to fully compensate for reduction in nitrogen fertilizer application, it is concluded that nitrogen fertilizer can only be reduced on upland sheep pastures if accompanied by reduced stocking rates.     

cDNA-AFLP分子标记技术及其在茶树育种上的应用前景

cDNA-AFLP技术是一种新的分子标记技术,该技术结合了AFLP和mRNA差异显示技术,具有可靠性和高效性且不需要预先知道序列信息,广泛应用于植物生长发育过程基因分离及表达特性的研究。本文阐述了分子标记技术cDNA-AFLP的原理及程序并介绍了它的应用情况。目前cDNA-AFLP技术已经在茶树基因表达特性研究上作了一些尝试,随着该技术的不断发展完善在茶树育种上有广阔的应用前景。     

氮肥用量和基追肥比例对密植秋芝麻产量和冠层结构的影响

为了探索红壤旱地密植秋芝麻的节氮高产栽培技术,以品种金黄麻为材料,采用裂区设计,2016和2017年在江西省进贤县研究氮肥用量[即N_1(105kg/hm^2)和N_2(75kg/hm^2)]和基追肥比例[即Z_1(7∶3)、Z_2(6∶4)、Z_3(5∶5)、Z_4(4∶6)、Z_5(3∶7)]对芝麻产量和冠层结构的影响。结果表明,在N_1条件下,2016年Z_3的单株蒴果数较Z_2显著增加25.36%,Z_4的每蒴粒数和Z_2的千粒重较Z_1的分别显著增加19.96%和13.62%;不同的是,2017年Z_2的每蒴粒数较Z_3显著增加22.84%,对单株蒴果数和千粒重无显著影响。在N_2条件下,2016年Z_3的千粒重较Z_4显著增加6.42%,其它处理间的单株蒴果数、每蒴粒数、千粒重都无显著差异;N_2的平均产量(879.0kg/hm^2)较N_1显著增加22.3%;但是2017年N_1的平均产量(1 080.7kg/hm^2)较N_2增加8.1%。相同的是,两年的结果都表现为Z_2处理平均产量最高。芝麻产量表现为随着基肥的比例减少而先增后减。不同时期N_1的光能截获率和叶面积指数都显著高于N_2,且随生长发育进程而先增后减。不同位置的芝麻冠层光能截获率和叶面积指数都有显著差异,且随着测定位置的不断升高而降低。因此,氮肥用量为75kg/hm^2和基追肥比例为6∶4,有利于协调密植秋芝麻的群体冠层结构,保持秋芝麻的高产。     

近似法计量施用有机肥料对培肥水稻土土壤的研究

用近似法计量施用有机肥培肥土壤,测定土壤有机质矿化率和农肥及作物根茬的腐殖化系数。5a试验结果表明,土壤有机质矿化率在轻壤质良水型水稻土上平均为2.44%,轻壤质滞水型水稻土上平均为1.39%。有机质的腐殖化系数:马粪为35%～40%;猪粪为28%～34%;水稻根茬为45%。根据上述结果,计算了有机肥的建议施肥量,该计算值在水稻土上基本符合生产实际情况。     

影响甘薯出粉率因素的初步研究

检测了福薯88、福薯89和金山57等3种甘薯品种的淀粉含量及出粉率,测定3种甘薯出粉加工后粗淀粉及残渣中的淀粉含量,以说明影响甘薯出粉率的因素。并研究匀浆程度和沉淀时间对甘薯淀粉率的影响,结果表明,在甘薯淀粉加工过程中,匀浆程度与沉淀时间对粗淀粉的制取有明显的影响,从而影响到出粉率的测定。